Hudson Holdco denies involvement in Raritan Bay purchase talks

In response to an NJBIZ Grapevine item, Hudson Holdco LLC issued a statement Tuesday saying it was not one of the final three ownership groups in a bid for Raritan Bay Medical Center's two hospitals.

Raritan Bay confirmed that it is in the process of evaluating partnership bids, but would not comment on the identity of the bidders.

Holdco's statement said the for-profit group, which owns Christ Hospital, Hoboken University Medical Center and Bayonne Medical Center, was interested in discussion ownership options with the Middlesex County system, but was told last year they "would not be invited to participate in the bid process."

The statement continued, "While we would have liked to have been allowed to participate, we wish Raritan Bay success as it moves forward in the bid process and regulatory process with the permitted bidders."

When asked when discussions had taken place, Holdco spokesman Spencer Baretz said his company expressed interest but no discussions occurred before Raritan Bay said Holdco would not be invited to bid.